Guzmania plant named Twilight

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Guzmania named `Twilight`, having an inflorescence comprised of deep red bracts and yellow flowers, elongated compound inflorescence, vigorous and tall growth habit, and long, relatively wide leaves.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofGuzmania, a genus within the family bromeliaceae hereinafter referred toby the cultivar name, `Twilight`.

Guzmania comprise a genus of over 100 species of evergreen perennialssuitable for cultivation in the home or under glass, or outdoors in warmclimates. Guzmania are predominantly epiphytic with a few terrestrialspecies and are native to the tropics. For the most part the speciesvary in diameter from 7 to 8 inches to 3 or 4 feet and have rosettes ofglossy, smooth edged leaves.

Floral bracts of Guzmania frequently have brilliant colors and may lastfor many months. The range of flower colors for Guzmania is generallyfrom yellow through orange to bright or flame red, and red-purple.

Guzmania may be advantageously grown as pot plants for greenhouse orhome use. Desirably the plants are shaded from direct sunlight andduring the spring to autumn period, the central vase-like part of theleaf rosette is desirably filled with water.

Guzmania is native to tropical Central and South America. Leaves of theGuzmania are usually formed as basal rosettes which are stiff and entireand in several vertical ranks. Guzmania normally have terminal spikes orpanicles which are often bracted with petals united in a tube about aslong as the calyx. The ovary is superior and the seeds plumose.

Asexual propagation of Guzmania can be from off-shoots produced by theplant which may then be rooted. The resulting plantlets are detachedfrom the mother plant and may be potted up in a suitable growingmixture. Propagation by tissue culture is also extensively practiced andis more efficient for commercial propagation.

The new cultivar `Twilight` is a product of a planned breeding programand was originated by the inventor from a cross made during such aprogram in Assendelft, The Netherlands, in 1977. The male, or pollenparent was an unnamed selection from Guzmania dissitilfora identified byCode No. 339,005, and the female, or seed parent was an unnamedselection from Guzmania variegata, identified by Code No. 339,100. Theselection comprising the new variety was chosen after commencement offlowering of the progeny in 1979, and subsequent and continuous asexualpropagation has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for the new cultivar `Twilight` are firmly fixed andare retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

`Twilight` is particularly characterized by its:

1. Unique compound elongated inflorescence, with the branches extendingoutwardly and alternately from the main stalk.

2. Solid, tall growth habit.

3. Relatively dark red bract inflorescence with yellow flowers.

4. Long, relatively wide leaves.

5. Long, lasting inflorescence.

6. Floriferous habit.

The new cultivar appears similar to the cultivar `Marlebeca` due to thered bract-yellow flower of `Marlebeca`. However, `Twilight` isdistinguished from `Marlebeca` by its darker inflorescence (bracts)which is longer lasting, its broader and more cascading leaves, and byits more vigorous and large growth habit.

`Twilight` has not been tested under all available environmentalconditions and the phenotype may vary with variations in environmentalconditions such as temperature, light intensity, day length andhumidity. The following observations, measurements and descriptions arebased on the growing of `Twilight` under greenhouse conditions inAssendelft, The Netherlands.

The accompanying color photographic drawings show typicalcharacteristics of `Twilight`, with colors being as true as possiblewith illustrations of this type. Sheet 1 comprises a perspective view ofa full plant with floral bracts. Sheet 2 comprises an enlarged showingof the floral bracts and inflorescence. The photograph comprising sheet1 is believed to closely depict inflorescence and foliage colors, thecorrect values for which are noted below. In the enlarged photographcomprising sheet 2, the bract color does not precisely correspond to thetrue color as described below, but sheets 1 and 2 together are believedto constitute an acceptable showing of true color.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.).

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and in combinationdistinguish `Twilight` as a new and distinct cultivar.

I. Plant:

Form.--Funnel form rosette.

Height.--Approximately 70 cm high at the time of flowering.

Growth habit.--Stemless.

Main stalk (scape).--Strong and erect; color varies extensively frombase to inflorescence; near infloresence the stalk color is 53A, adeep-red similar to bract color; proceeding toward the base, there issome green showing through the stalk bracts, with the lower stalk bracts(approximately the lower half of the main stock) having tips or endswhich are the same green color as the foliage; the main color of thestalk becomes more grey-purple from inflorescence toward the base, withcolors 184A and 185A being well represetned; red, grey-purple and greencolors will vary depending on temperature, light, fertilizer, and age ofplant.

II. Foliage:

Size of leaf.--Approximately 50 cm long.

Shape of leaf.--Linear -- lanceolate.

Surface texture.--Smooth.

Variegation.--None.

Orientation.--Leaves extend away from main stalk and gently cascade toexpose the long main stalk and the intense red inflorescence, and toprovide a full round appearance.

Color.--Upperside, near R.H.S. 147A. Underside, near R.H.S. 147B. Nearbase, R.H.S. 59A.

III. Bracts:

Length.--Primary bracts approximately 5.5 cm; scape bracts approximately8 cm; and floral bracts approximately 2.5 cm.

Width.--At the base, primary and scape bracts are approximately 4 cm,and floral bracts 1.5 cm.

General shape.--Ovate-lanceolate.

Number.--Approximately 11 primary bracts.

Texture.--Smooth.

Margin.--Entire.

Color.--Outer surface, R.H.S. 53B; inner surface, R.H.S. 53C.

IV. Flowers:

Borne.--On erect stalks.

Shape of inflorescence.--Compound, alternately from main stalk.

Length of inflorescence on stalk.--Approximately 25 cm.

Individual petals.--(1) Length: Approximately 3.5 cm long, of which 3 cmis disposed within the sepals which are hidden for 2.5 cm behind thefloral bracts. (2) Diameter: Approximately 0.4 cm. (3) Quantity:Approximately 100 flowers divided over approximately 11 branches,depending on the size of plant. (4) Color: R.H.S. 6B.

Time of blooming.--In a fully grown plant, flowers start approximately20 weeks after induction, and blooming can be scheduled for any time ofthe year.

Duration of blooms.--Each flower blooms 1 day and the total duration ofblooming is about 6 weeks.

V. Reproductive organs:

Ovaries.--Superior.

Stamens.--6 in number.

VI. Seed characteristics: Sterile hybrid, therefore no seed.

I claim:
 1. A plant of a new and distinct cultivar of Guzmania plantnamed `Twilight`, as illustrated and described.